Well, you guys are hearing it (almost) first. Billetproof has been sold to a fellow HAMBer...Choptop (Alan Galbraith). We're just waiting on the final bits to fall into place. Over the last ten years the hot rodding hobby has changed for the better, and in however small or large a way, Billetproof has helped that happen. From day-one Billetproof was intended to level the playing field between big-buck players and the dedicated no-buckers by giving us a place to show our stuff with pride. It has done that and more. I cannot put into words how proud I am of what Billetproof has accomplished and what it has become. It has gone far beyond any initial intentions without losing its integrity. It has been a TON of hard work (especially the past 4-5 years), but stoked customers made it worthwhile. Billetproof is the people who have helped, and continue to help, put it on. It is every participant that has come, and will continue to come, through the gates - Billetproof is YOU, and that's why it is such a big success. Thank you! Billetproof has been a breeding ground for some of tomorrow's top hot rod builders by giving them a place where it is OK to try new things without spending a bunch of money. It has also bred a ton of other shows across the country and the world, and helped put traditional hot rodding on the map. I'm especially proud of that. I know it will continue to inspire. I'd like to think that as I get older, I get wiser, but that's only sometimes the case. This is one time that I think I have made a wise decision. I took Billetproof as far as I had the knowledge and energy to take it. I sought out someone with new enthusiasm to get involved and take it even further...and found him. It, and WE (like-minded hot rodders), still have much more potential. If you have never been involved with running a show or a clothing company then you may not understand the amount of mental energy it takes to keep it fresh and in the lead. I think about Billetproof dozens of times EVERY day and it was starting to hurt. I want to be just "Joe-Hot-Rodder" for a while. I want to go to events without handing out flyers and talking to potential vendors. I want to have a good time at car shows again and just hang out with my friends. I want to have brain energy to think about my cars. I'll love attending Billetproof as a customer. This was a very difficult and emotional decision for me, and it didn't come easily, but my family needed me to do it, and my brain needed me to do it. That said, both of this year's shows are STILL ON, without change, under the capable leadership of Alan. I will be consulting on the show for the next two years to create a seamless transition to the new owner. Please feel free to ask me any questions, but please (to the assholes out there) refrain from starting rumors - the truth is right here in black and white. I wanted a person who "gets it" to take it over and Alan is just that guy. It has always been a show by hot rodders for hot rodders, and with Alan at the helm it will stay that way, and will only improve. Now's your chance to get your ideas into a new and energetic brain...GET INVOLVED and send your suggestions and/or questions to Alan. Again, thanks to all of you who made Billetproof such a killer ride for me. Here are the keys Alan...FLOOR IT!.
Congrats Kirk, and good luck in your future ventures...now, see you at Billetproof!! Glad to hear its staying in 'the family' I wish Alan all the best for the future....See ya in Antioch!!
way to go Kirk! thanks for doing such an awesome job over the years with Billetproof... it has definately been one of my favorite shows to attend every year. Change is always good and it's time for you to relax from that heavy load, enjoy the spectating aspect of the hotroddin scene and go have fun with your cars Ruler!
I'll keep doing the Gazette for my 9-5, but I will likely start another clothing line. It is called Dirty Hero. All the trademarks and junk are in place, we just need to get going on it. It is inspired by hot rods, bobbers and skateboarding, with a little motorcross thrown in. Basically it's cool gear for blue-collar heroes.
You've done an mazing job and no doubt choose a great predecessor to take the helm. From one of the little guys...thanks. Bryan
You certainly accomplished what you set out to do.Thanks for all the dedication,you've done hot rodding a huge service.By bringing in new people to the hobby,you've contributed to a resurgence in"real hot rodding",that will continue for many more years to come.Great to see a HAMB'r take over at the wheel.
Great. I'd like to see what your gonna have,when it's up and running. Liked your other stuff. Good luck.
Kirk: One of the reasons I scheduled my semi-annual trip to Michigan in June was to attend Billetproof & see all of my friends of many years. I'll also be there with Hamb-relay stuff. You've done a good job making that one of the best trad. days i've seen. Thanks from Oregon
Billetproof has been a show that I've really really wanted to go to, but so far I've been unable to. Here's to a successful future for it. Now I don't know if this'll be in the cards anytime in the future ... but what about an East Coast show?
I know Alan plans to add a couple more events. I don't know how soon or where, but it never hurts to send suggestions.
Yep, Just what Skankin' Rat Fink said. That bein' said It must be a real bitch to do a show from the other side of the country. THANKS! for what all of you guys do for the hobby. GOOD LUCK to all involved. Smokey
good for you......you've paid your dues.........quite and accomplishment, most of us will never have something like that under our belt..... oh wait, left this out: sell-out!.....good guys will ruin it......it's a yuppy show, now.... there, got that out of the way for all the idiots.... how about a columbus ohio event....VERY centralized for a LOT of places
Nice job, Kirk. Just to let you know from my side that your event touched several young rodders. My 11 year old will eventually have a 48 Sedan Delivery there but to start with he wants to be a photographer. He said he'll wait to start on it until he's got a really good camera! My 14 year old loved it so much he's trying to get me to thrash something so we can drive there. We spent the day there last year in Detroit and it was a total blast. Met some great HAMBers and others and it has really made a difference. Excellent work and keep it up. Your energy is contagious. Nice work updating the site, too!
Congrats to both Kirk and Choptop. When both the buyer and seller are happy everyone wins, including US!
It would be, but the Detroit guys RULE! Without them there would be no show in Michigan. Alan will be looking for the same caliber of guys in other places.
First off, I’d like to thank Kirk and his family for making this a great experience. So many things in business and life can be difficult, but becoming the owner of Billetproof has been like becoming a member of a family. This is a very positive sign. Second, Billetproof Detroit and Billetproof Antioch are on and happening as usual. Dates: Detroit – June 2, Davidsburg, MI, Springfield Oaks Fairgrounds Antioch – Sept. 15, Antioch Fairgrounds The Billetproof website (http://www.billetproof.com) has been updated with the 2007 flyers for both shows and registration information. Both Kirk and I will be at both shows, Kirk showing me the ropes without all the stress of having to put on the show, and me doing my best to make sure that Billetproof continues to be one of the best car shows on the planet. With that out of the way… I’ve been a fan of Billetproof since day one, without even knowing it. My hot rodding education came from my father, Art Galbraith, who ran Jalopies in So.Cal. at Carrell Speedway and Ascot with the likes of Kenny and Wally Parks, Roger Ward and Tex McAllister in the late 40’s and early 50’. My earliest memories as a child are of riding in our 65 Mustang towing a flatbottom boat to the drag boat races. Weekends were spent in the garage building cars and engines. All done on a shoe-string budget and in a traditional manner. We never built cars to suit a trend, we just did it the only way we knew how. When Billetproof was born it was like we had found our long lost tribe. Fast forward a few years and I’m working in my day job that while very secure and in a field I enjoy (television) is leaving me increasingly dissatisfied. When I heard that Kirk was thinking of selling Billetproof, I was on the phone to him the next day. Over the course of many months we have worked out what we think is best for both of us, and more importantly, what is best for Billetproof. I will be leaving my comfy day job to dedicate my full attention to the shows. This will allow Billetproof to grow and be accessible to more traditional hot rod fans. In the future I will be looking to add more shows and products to the Billetproof line-up. 2007 and 2008 will be exciting years. The East Coast, Northwest, South East and Lower Mid-West are under consideration. A DVD covering both shows is being produced and will be available for pre-order (at a discount) at both shows. If you or your car club are interested in becoming involved in either, contact me @ alan@billetproof.com. Lastly, Billetproof really belongs to you. All Kirk or I do is provide the place and the trimmings, but its your party. It is up to you to bring the show, the cars and the good time. If there is anything I can do to help that along, let me know.
Thanks for all the hard work and sacrifice that it takes to put on a show of that caliber. I can imagine we should continue to see a great effort from from your choice in predecessor, since we all know you would not let BP get tarnished after so long a run. Good luck to Choptop, can't wait to see what he brings to the table. I also can't wait to see what comes out in the new clothing line!
thats awesome kirk. billetproof is def one of my fav shows to attend every year. i always have a good time. i hear you on the planning and all. i put together a fundraiser that included a bike run etc for 3 years. man it was rough. so im glad youre taking the time to chill and get back to family and checking out cars etc without having to worry where the hell your volunteer's are or why the band is playing late etc..lol
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